Perforated non-skid panel



June 11, 1963 J. c. DUNHAM PERFORATED NON-SKID PANEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fizz-awful" John C Dunham Filed May 12, 1959 June 11, 1963 J. c. DUNHAM PERFORATED NON-SKID PANEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 12, 1959 INVENTOR. Jb/m Cf Dun/7am BY amaw azq w ATTORNE s 3,093,216 Patented June 11, 1963 3,093,216 PERFORATED NON SKID PANEL John C. Dunham, Aurora, Ill., assignor to Aurora Equipment Company, Aurora, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 12., 1959, Ser. No. 812,607 8 Claims. (6]. 189-34) The present invention relates generally to an anti-skid device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a non-skid panel which is adapted for use in the formation of cat-walks, stair treads, balconies, fatigue pads for persons having to stand all day, and the like.

At the present time there are a number of different types of Stairways, balcanies, and cat-walks which are manufactured out of steel grating. The non-skid panel which is the subject of this invention, is provided with ribs and perforated areas defining holes, the ribs and the perforated areas being cooperable together to resist accidental slippage. One of the main advantages of the instant non-skid panel over the commonly used steel grating types of stairways and cat-walks, is that the nonskid panel may be manufactured at considerably less cost.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide a low cost non-skid panel.

Yet another important object of the present invention relates to a new and improved non-skid panel construction for use in cat-walks, stair treads, and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a reinforced non-skid panel enabling the panel to be manufactured from lightweight steel and the like at a reduced cost, and which reinforced panel is easier to handle because of its reduced weight.

An important feature of the present invention relates to the manufacture of a new and improved non-skid panel having transverse ribs and perforated areas whereby the panel is highly resistant to slippage and whereby the ribs are longitudinally spaced so as to allow trucks to be pushed on top of the ribs without any bump action.

According to other features of the present invention, each of the perforated areas is of a frusto-conical configuration and is provided with an annular edge which is adapted to resist slippage.

Still another feature of the present invention relates to the perforated area being arranged in a longitudinal row and a transverse row with other perforated areas as well as in criss-crossing inclined rows of perforated areas to resist slippage along the main panel portion.

Still another feature of the present invention relates to a new and improved anti-skid device comprised of sheet metal having a channeled cross-sectional configuration and which is provided with means for preventing accidental slippage along its length.

A further feature of the present invention relates to the provision of new and improved means for securing the anti-skid devices in assembly together.

Other objects and features of the present invention will more fully become apparent in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and illustrating therein several embodiments and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the instant antiskid device, according to the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line IIII of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic isometric View of the anti-skid device shown in FIGURE 1 only with the device shown in an upside down position and with certain details having been omitted;

FIGURE 4 is an end elevation of a modified form of anti-skid device;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of a pair of non-skid panels secured in assembly by a clip;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line VI-VI looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, as seen in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view similar to FIGURE 5 only showing four panels secured together in assembly by a modified clip which is of a similar construction as the one shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view similar to FIGURE 7 only illustrating still another type of modified clip;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional View taken substantially on the line IX-IX looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, as seen in FIG- URE 8; and

FIGURE '10 is a side elevation of a further modified clip shown in assembly with a pair of panels arranged in the manner shown in FIGURE 5 which clip is similar to the one shown in FIGURE 5 for securing only a pair of panels together and with the view of the clip and panel assembly being taken generally on the line X-X looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, as seen in FIGURE 8.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 in FIGURE 1 indicates generally an anti-skid device or a channeled non-skid panel or strip. The panel or strip 10 may be manufactured from any suitable materials such as steel, suitable synthetic plastics and the like.

The panel or strip 10 includes a main panel or tread portion 11 and angled portions 12, '12 which portions cooperate together to provide the non-skid panel 10 with longitudinally extending channeled marginal areas 12a, 12a. In other words, the main panel portion 11 has its opposite longitudinal margins turned under providing the main panel portion with angled channel leg portions or angled underlying portions 12, 12 disposed along opposite margins of the main panel portion. The leg portions or angled portions 12, 12 each include a vertically extending channel leg 13 disposed generally at right angles to the main panel portion 11 and a longitudinally extending attachment portion or channel leg 13' which is positioned in generally parallel relation to the main panel portion 11. The attachment portions 13 are provided with slots or holes or openings or grooved attachment areas 13a and the attachment areas each have a vertical side slot edge or clip engaging side edge 13!: as Well as vertically extending longitudinally spaced end slot edges or clip engaging :arcuate end edges 13c, 13c. Each of the attachment portions 13 is also provided with upper and lower attachment area or leg surface-s 13d and 13e. Started otherwise, the non-skid panels 10 have four attachment areas 13a, which are disposed generally at the four cornets of each of the non-skid panels 10. Bolts or suitable fasteners may be inserted through the slots 13a in the attachment portions 13' to fasten the anti-skid device 10 in position, assuming it is desired to fixedly position the anti-skid device on a supporting structure. Where it is desired to connect the panels 10 in assembly together clip type fasteners of the type shown in FIGURES 5-10 may he used which fasteners are hereafter described in detail.

The anti-skid device is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced transversely extending projections or angular ribs 14 which are preferably spaced approximately 1 /2 inches apart, the measurements being taken between the peaks of the ribs. Also provided on the anti-skid device 10 and more particularly on the main panel portion 11 are a series of perforated areas or annular edge areas 15. Each of the perforated areas are equidistantly spaced from the adjacent associated transverse ribs 14. Also, each of the perforated areas are preferably transversely spaced approximately 2% inches apart, the measurements being taken between the mid-points of the perforated areas.

Each of the panels 10 preferably has a depth of approximately 6 inches and has preferably a length of either 30 inches, 36 inches or 48 inches. Where the panel has been manufactured with 6 inch depth and from 18 gauge steel the panel has a 700 pound capacity for distributed load where the panel is 30 inches in length, and the panel has a 600 pound capacity for distributed load where the panel is 36 inches in length.

Each of the panels 10 is preferably manufactured from a flat strip of steel with the strip being initially provided with the ribs 14, the perforated areas 15, and the grooved attachment areas 13a. The strip is then formed into a channeled configuration by turning under the opposite margins of the panel.

Each of the raised or elevated edge areas or perforated areas frusto-conical bumps 15 includes a biting edge 15a at its top which is annular and is preferably circular. The perforated area 15, as illustrated, is shown as having a frusto-conical configuration and is defined by annular inside and outside projection surfaces 15b and 15c. The surface 15b is joined with the surface 150 by an annular (preferably circular) surface 15:1. The surfaces :150 and 15d intersect together and provide the annular biting or gripping edge 15a.

As is apparent in FIGURE 4, a modified anti-skid device 20 is shown. The device 20 is identical with the device 10 except that it is made of a lighter gauge steel. The device 20 further differs from the device 10 in that reinforcing channels are disposed on the underside of the device which channels are indicated at 21. As with the device 10, the device 20 is provided with a main panel portion 23, and angled panel portion 24. The main panel portion 23 cooperates with the angled portions 24 to define confronting channels 24a and it is in these channels that the reinforcing channels 21 are disposed. The reinforcing channels 21 are preferably fixedly attached to the device 20 by such means as welds or bolts and the like, as indicated at 22.

It will be appreciated that by displacing the material away from the bottom surface of the fiat strip to form the ribs leaves the inside surface of the anti-skid device free of projections or ribs so that the reinforcing channels 22 may be readily lodged within the channels formed on the underside of the strip after the margins of the strip are folded under. In both of the illustrated non-skid panels shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, the panels are provided with longitudinally spaced ribs as indicated at 14- and 25. Also, the devices 10 and 29 are provided with perforated areas 15. The perforated areas on the panel 20 are not shown but are identical to the ones shown in FIGURE 1. The perforated areas are each disposed in a transverse row as well as in a longitudinal row and the perforated areas are also disposed in criss-crossing rows. By using ribs and perforated areas in the above manner, the device is provided with a very effective skid resistant top surface.

The ribs are preferably spaced longitudinally apart in such a way that trucks may be pushed on top of the device in such away that there will be no bump.

As shown in FIGURES -10 are various types of clips for securing a series of the panels or 20 in assembly together. Each of the clips, depending on its particular construction, is adapted to secure either two or four nonskid panels 10 or 20 in assembly together.

The clips are of different types some of which are adapted to secure a pair of panels in side by side relation while other of the clips are adapted to secure pairs of panels in side by side end to end assembly together. Some of the different types of clips are provided with 4 means for preventing longitudinal movement of the panels relative to one another.

In FIGURES 5 and 6 a clip indicated generally at 27 is shown in assembly with a pair of panels 10 for securing the panels in side by side relation. All forms of the clips illustrated in the drawings may be manufactured from any suit-able materials such as steel, a suitable synthetic plastic, and the like. The clip 27 is provided with a main clip body portion 28 which is adapted to lap the peripheral margins of the panels 10 and more panticularly the attachment portions or legs 13. Hooklike clip extensions 29 are integral with and emanate from opposite marginal areas of the clip body portion 28 and are extended in underlying relation to the clip body portion 28, as is shown in FIGURE 6.

When the clip 27 is assembled with the panels 10, the clip extensions 29 are extended through the grooved at tachment areas 13a in such a way as to engage the slot edges 136 whereby the clip body portion 28 is engaged against the attachment area surface 13c and the vertical channel legs 13 are abuttingly engaged with one another along the length of the adjacent panels.

Assembly and removal of the clips 27 may be brought about by cocking the panels 10 relative to one another so that the clip extensions may be engaged or disengaged with respect to the slot edges 13!).

Shown in FIGURE 7 is a modified clip indicated gen eraly at 30 which clip is particularly adapted to secure four panels 10 in side by side, end to end relation in assembly together. The clip 30 is identical to the clip 27 except that the clip 30 is provided With an elongated main clip body portion 31 which is of suificient length so that the four corners of the elongated main clip body portion 28 may be disposed in proximity to the grooved attachment areas or slots 13a on the four panels 10 to be assembled together. The marginal areas of the elongated main clip body portion 31 are provided with hook-like clip extensions 32 which are identical to the hook-like clip extensions 29. When the clip 30 is in assembly with the four panels 10 the extensions 32 are engage with the slot edges 13b and underlie the channel legs 13 in the same manner as is shown in FIGURE 6. When the clip body portion is assembled with the panels 10 it is bottomed against the attachment area or leg surface 13e. It will further be noted that when the clip is in assembly with the panels 10, the panels 10 are secured in side by side end to end assembly together. The clips 30 may be assembled and removed from the panels 10 in the same manner as previously described.

Shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 is still another modified clip indicated generally at 33 which clip is similar to the one shown in FIGURE 7 in that it is also provided with an elongated main clip body portion 34 which extends across a common corner of four of the panels 10 when the corners of the panels 10 are in abutment with respect to one another. The four corners of the clip 33 when so positioned are disposed adjacent the grooved attachment areas 13a of the panels 10. The clips 33 is provided with extensions 35 which are substantially identical to the extensions 29 and 33 shown in the other embodiments and which extensions 35 function in the same manner as previously described.

The clip 33 difiers from the clips shown in the other forms in that it is provided with means to prevent longitudinal movement of the panels 10 with respect to one another when they are in assembly together. To this end, the clip 33 is provided with stop extensions 36 disposed on longitudinally opposite sides of each of the hook-line clip extensions 35 and which stop extensions are adapted to engage with the attachment area edges when the clip 33 is in assembly with the panels 10. Preferably there is a very slight spacing between the stop extensions 36 and the edges 13c to enable the extensions 36 to be readily telescoped into the grooved attachment area 13a. Assembly and removal of the clip 33 may be attained in the same manner previously described and it is evident the clip 33 coacts with the four panels in much the same manner as described in connection with FIGURE 7 except that the stop extensions 36 are adapted to prevent relative movement of the panels 10 with respect to one another when the stop extensions 36 are disposed in confronting relation to the attachment area edges 130, as shown. Shown in FIGURE 10 is still another modified clip indicated generally at 37 which clip is identical to the clip 27 except that it is provided with stop extensions of the type shown in FIGURES 8 and 9.

The clip 37 includes a main clip body portion 38 as well as hook-line clip extensions 39 which are adapted to engage with the slot edges 13b in the manner previously described in connection with FIGURE 5. Disposed on longitudinally opposite sides of each of the extensions 39 are stop extensions 4040 which stop extensions are disposed at a greater angle relative to the clip body portion than the hook-like clip extension which is adjacent thereto in the same relation as shown in FIGURE 9.

When the clip 37 is assembled with the panels 10 where it is desired to secure only two panels in side by side relation, the stop extensions 40 are adapted to confront and abut against the slot edges 130 to prevent longitudinal movement of the panels 10 with respect to one another.

The clips 37 may be assembled and removed from the'.

panels 10 in the same manner as previously described.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A clip for securing non-skid panels in assembly together, the clip being provided with a clip body portion for lapping peripheral margins of panels, hook-like clip extensions integral with and emanating from opposite marginal areas of the clip body portion which extensions are angled underneath the clip body portion and each have a terminal end disposed in underlying relation with respect to the clip body portion, the hook-like clip extensions being adapted for assembly with peripheral margins of nonskid panels to secure non-skid panels in assembly together, and means on said clip for preventing longitudinal movement of non-skid panels relative to one another comprising stop extensions disposed at opposite ends of each of said hook-like clip extensions which stop extensions are integral with and emanate from the clip body portion, the stop extensions each being disposed at a greater angle relative to the clip body portion than the hook-like clip extension which is adjacent thereto.

2. A clip for securing four non-skid panels in assembly together, the clip being provided with a clip body portion for lapping peripheral margins of panels, hook-like clip extensions integral with and emanating from opposite marginal areas of the clip body portion which extensions are angled underneath the clip body portion and each have a terminal end disposed in underlying relation with respect to the clip body portion, the hook-like clip extensions be ing adapted for assembly with peripheral margins of nonskid panels to secure non-skid panels in assembly together, and means on said clip for preventing longitudinal move ment of non-skid panels relative to one another comprising stop extensions disposed at opposite ends of each of said hook-like clip extensions which stop extensions are integral with and emanate from the clip body portion, the stop extensions each being disposed at a greater angle relative to the clip body portion than the hook-like clip extension which is adjacent thereto, the clip body portion being elongated for lapping four non-skid panels at their common intersection, said clip body portion having means for securing four non-skid panels in assembly comprising said hook-like clip extensions which extensions are disposed generally at the four corners of the clip body portion with each of the clip extensions being engageable with one of four non-skid panels.

3. In combination, non-skid panels for forming a catwalk each being provided with a marginal attachment area, and means for securing the non-skid panels in assembly together comprising a clip, the clip having a clip body portion engaged in lapped abutment with the peripheral marginal areas of the panels, hook-like clip extensions integral with opposite marginal areas of the clip body portion which extensions are angled underneath the clip body portion and engaged in assembly with the marginal attachment areas of the panels securing them in assembly, the clip having means thereon preventing longitudinal movement of the non-skid panels relative on one another comprising stop extensions which are integral with the clip body portion and are engaged with the marginal attachment areas preventing longitudinal movement of the non-skid panels relative to one another, the stop extensions each being disposed at a greater angle relative to the clip body portion than the hook-like clip extension which is adjacent thereto.

4. In combination, non-skid panels for forming a catwalk each being provided with a marginal attachment area, and means for securing the non-skid panels in assembly together comprising a clip, the clip having a clip body portion engaged in lapped abutment with the peripheral marginal areas of the panels, hook-like clip extensions integral with opposite marginal areas of the clip body portion which extensions are angled underneath the clip body portion and engaged in assembly with the marginal attachment areas of the panels securing them in assembly, the non-skid panels being four in number and the clip body portion being elongated for lapping the four non-skid panels at the area of their common junctures, said clip body portions having means securing the four non-sleid panels in assembly comprising said hook-like clip extensions which extensions are disposed generally at the four corners of the clip body portion with each of the clip extensions being engaged with one of the marginal attachment areas on one of the four non-skid panels, the clips having additional means thereon engageable with said panels preventing longitudinal movement of the four non-skid panels relative to one another.

5. An anti-skid device comprising a one-piece sheet metal panel having a main panel portion with its opposite longitudinal margins turned under and providing attachment flanges underlying the main panel portion, the attachment flanges each having slots at its opposite ends for receipt of means for anchoring the panel and with the panel being channeled in cross-section, the panel having a series of transversely extending longitudinally spaced ribs extending above the panel along its top surface, said ribs extending transversely across opposite longitudinal margins as well as across the attachment flanges for reinforcing the attachment flanges, and frusto-conical bumps carried by the panel between the ribs with the frustoconical bumps having inclined surfaces intersecting at an edge positioned above the main panel portion, the ribs and the perforated areas being cooperable together to resist slippage.

6. An anti-skid device comprising a one-piece sheet metal panel having a main panel portion with its opposite longitudinal margins turned under and providing attachment flanges underlying the main panel portion, the attachment flanges each having slots at its opposite ends for receipt of means for anchoring the panel and with the panel being channeled in cross-section, the panel having a series of spaced ribs extending above the panel along its top surface, and frusto-conical bumps carried by the panel between the ribs with the frusto-conical bumps having inclined surfaces intersecting at an edge positioned above the main panel portion, the ribs and the perforated areas being cooperable together to resist slippage, and means for securing the sheet metal panel in assembly with another article comprising a clip, the clip having a clip body portion engaged in lapped abutment with the attachment flange of the panel, and hook-like clip extensions integral with opposite marginal areas of the clip body portion which extensions are angled underneath the clip body portion and engaged in assembly within the slot with the attachment flanges of the panels securing them in assembly, the clip having means thereon preventing longitudinal movement of the sheet metal panel with respect to another article comprising stop extensions which are integral with the clip body portion and are engaged with the attachment flange, the stop extensions each being disposed at a greater angle relative to the clip body portion than the hook-like clip extension which is adjacent thereto.

7. In combination, a non-skid panel for forming a cat-walk provided with a marginal flange attachment area having a slot therein, and means for securing the panel in assembly with another article comprising a clip, the clip having a clip body portion engaged in lapped abutment with the peripheral marginal area of the panel, and hook-like clip extensions integral with opposite marginal areas of the clip body portion which extensions are angled underneath the clip body portion and engaged in assembly in the slot on the marginal attachment area, the clip having means thereon preventing longitudinal movement of the non-skid panels relative to one another comprising stop extensions which are integral with the clip body portion and are engaged with the marginal attachment areas preventing longitudinal movement of the non-skid panels relative to one another, the stop extensions each being disposed at a greater angle relative to the clip body portion than the hook-like clip extension which is adjacent thereto.

8. In combination, a pair of anti-skid devices each comprising a one-piece sheet metal panel having a main panel portion with its opposite longitudinal margins turned under and providing vertical flanges having attachment flanges at lower ends underlying the main panel portion,

the attachment flanges each having slots at its opposite ends spaced inwardly of said vertical flanges for receipt of means for anchoring the panel and with the panel being channeled in cross-section, the panel having means on its top surface to resist slippage, and means for securing the sheet metal panels in side-by-side assembly with the vertical flange at one side of each being disposed in abutment along the lengths of said panels and, with said means comprising clips, each of the clips having a clip body portion engaged in lapped abutment with the attachment flanges of the panels below the abutted vertical side flanges, the clips each including hook-like clip extensions integral with the opposite marginal areas of the clip body portion which extensions are angled over the clip body portion in a direction extending toward the abutted side flanges of the panels and engaged in assembly within the slots on the attachment flanges of the panels securing attachment flanges in assembly and holding the side flanges of said panels in abutment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 183,691 Grover Oct. 14, 1958 1,773,482 Gill Aug. 19, 1930 2,180,317 Davis Nov. 14, 1939 2,278,191 Burnett Mar. 31, 1942 2,281,822 Bills et a1. May 5, 1942 2,317,015 Allen Apr. 20, 1943 2,395,726 Del Tufo Feb. 26, 1946 2,485,165 Pollman Oct. 18, 1949 2,735,523 Leyerle et al Feb. 21, 1956 2,742,121 Liskey Apr. 17, 1956 2,844,292 Rich July 22, 1958 2,930,665 Budai Mar. 29, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 552,294 Germany June 13, 1932 623,455 Germany Dec. 20, 1935 526,807 Italy May 23, 1955 

5. AN ANTI-SKID DEVICE COMPRISING A ONE-PIECE SHEET METAL PANEL HAVING A MAIN PANEL PORTION WITH ITS OPPOSITE LONGITUDINAL MARGINS TURNED UNDER AND PROVIDING ATTACHMENT FLANGES UNDERLYING THE MAIN PANEL PORTION, THE ATTACHMENT FLANGES EACH HAVING SLOTS AT ITS OPPOSITE ENDS FOR RECEIPT OF MEANS FOR ANCHORING THE PANEL AND WITH THE PANEL BEING CHANNELED IN CROSS-SECTION, THE PANEL HAVING A SERIES OF TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY SPACED RIBS EXTENDING ABOVE THE PANEL ALONG ITS TOP SURFACE, SAID RIBS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS OPPOSITE LONGITUDINAL MARGINS AS WELL AS ACROSS THE ATTACHMENT FLANGES FOR REINFORCING THE ATTACHMENT FLANGES, AND FRUSTO-CONICAL BUMPS CARRIED BY THE PANEL BETWEEN THE RIBS WITH THE FRUSTOCONICAL BUMPS HAVING INCLINED SURFACES INTERSECTING AT AN EDGE POSITIONED ABOVE THE MAIN PANEL PORTION, THE RIBS AND THE PERFORATED AREAS BEING COOPERABLE TOGETHER TO RESIST SLIPPAGE. 